Here is the next chapter and the chapter that begins this romance story right! Enjoy it everyone! I hope you love it as much as I do!
Review from ZUW:
good chapter, the "date" was funny and better than another canon copy.
good luck with the story, the harem change was bad for me (kicking Aisha, Mikoto, Haruhime)
I sent you a couple PM's on the app, though if you prefer it on the PC, we can do it there to. I figured you'd might wanna talk or whatever. But ill respond here.
Right now, the harem changes are final but it may change. Kicking Aisha out is due to her being a prostitute. I guess for me, I find it hard for her to get a happy ending, due to her choice of being one. My beta and I discussed it, though I am more than happy to see if you or anyone has a good way of going about it.
As for Mikoto. I kinda wanted to keep her loyal and attracted to her God... but maybe I'll change that up. Like if he rejects her and focuses on a new crush, Bell. its possible.
Haruhime. Man. I don't know about her. I might consider her but, she'll be tough for me to write. I did find her adorable when she kept trying to touch Bell despite Hestia's insistence not to.
Anyways. Enjoy this chapter!
Bell found himself slowly waking up, like it was a dream world. He could hear muffled voices, but it was incoherent. He knew that it was heated, between Riveria and Loki. He then heard Finn's voice, which was more calm. He couldn't understand anything that was said, but touch was the next sense to come online. It was muted as was his hearing, but he could feel something soft. He had a pillow underneath him, but the pillow was warm. His sense of smell came shortly after touch, which while also muted, he could smell the scent of vanilla and lavender. Vanilla was the stronger scent, in which he knew was Loki's choice of soap scent. He knew all about that, all thanks to the fact that she had forced him to bathe with her multiple times, not that he could really complain deep down.
His mind was foggy, unable to recollect what had happened to him. He had remembered earning magic, then running off into the dungeon… then having the time of his life… then nothing. He just remembers 'waking up'. His hearing suddenly turned into a loud ringing while his sight turned from a space into a bright white. These only occurred for the next couple seconds before his hearing his sight returned to normal. His eyes opened and the first thing he saw was the somewhat terrified face of his Goddess, looking straight ahead. He must have moved, because Loki looked down and her eyes somewhat widened in surprise, before her lips gave a hint of a smile.
"Good morning Sleepy head." Loki said teasingly, trying to embarrass the boy. Bell looked at her curiously before smiling softly.
"Why do you look so afraid?" Bell asked, which surprised the Goddess at the random question. She didn't get to respond before a throat was cleared. Bell immediately turned and HE started to look scared at the absolutely furious look thrown at him by Riveria. Finn glanced over at Loki and Bell, before leaving. He didn't want to be here.
"I think I am the reason that she looks like that. I was just having a discussion about what you did down there in the dungeon…" Riveria said, in a way that sent a thrill of fear yet for some reason, pleasure down Bells spine. Bell gulped, his face slowly turning a bit scared. "And you." She said, making sure she had Bells attention. "You foolish little rabbit. You have any idea how stupid it was to do that? What could have happened? Huh?" Bell shook his head in the negative. "You had a mind down. Magical energy is known as Mind. Magic uses up this energy and eventually causes a Mind down or in simpler terms. You pass out. You passed out in the middle of the dungeon! Do you not understand the severity of such a thing? If Ais or I were not passing through, you would have died down there. The dungeon is not a place for fun! The dungeon is there to kill you! You are a fool to have done that. Do you understand this?!" Riveria demanded. Bell shook his head slowly in a yes, but Riveria would have none of that. "Speak. Do not nod or shake your head. Speak." Riveria scolded, her eyes narrowing.
"Y-Yes… I-I understand." Bell said, absolutely terrified, and if the slight tent in his pants was any indication, he was slightly turned on.
"I swear… you two are an absolute headache. Luckily, nothing happened to harm you… but if you ever do something foolish like that again…" Riveria threatened, glaring at Loki AND Bell, before she left Loki's bedroom. Both Goddess and Child stayed completely still in terror. The Nine Hells has struck.
Finn was sitting in the main living room, sitting on a large comfortable reclining chair. He looked up from a large book that was in his lap, staring at Riveria.
"Everything alright?" Finn asked, knowing that Riveria only had the best interests of her Familia at heart. Riveria merely sighed.
"Yeah… Just had to get through their heads to stop being so foolish. I don't need a Familia's death on my hand when its so easily preventable."
"Perhaps, but it's not really his fault you know."
"You made that clear, yes. Nevertheless, it had to be said so he understands the severity of it."
"I suppose so, but you don't want him terrified to go near you either. He's not exactly the most confident." Finn pointed out, which got Riveria to sigh for the 100th time today.
"That needs to change real fast. It's getting to be a pain." Riveria grumbled, which got Finn to laugh a bit.
"Perhaps, but it comes with time. Everyone is different. I'm sure he'll gain the confidence he needs soon. Just be a little more patient." Finn said, giving his second in command a warm smile. Riveria nodded.
"I'll keep it in mind." Riveria stated, wanting this conversation over with. Sensing her discomfort, Finn hummed.
"Think everything will be ready for tomorrow?"
"I think so. Tione and Tiona should have went to Hephaestus and hired a bunch of their blacksmiths. We will know when they return."
"Should be fine. I heard that Ais reached level six. Defeated a floor boss on her own, is that right?"
"It is. She's going to be an even bigger celebrity once the guild hears about it. Probably tell them tomorrow on our way down, just to avoid any major issues."
"Sounds good. You should probably get some rest then. I'll be retiring for the night here shortly." Finn said, closing his book once he put a bookmark in. "Think I'll get a glass of milk for the night." Finn said out loud, before disappearing to the kitchen. Riveria also left this room, heading to the central staircase. She looked over towards where Loki's bedroom was, her mind on Bell.
'Get stronger.'
Upstairs, Bell and Loki stayed cuddling, full of fear of the Nine Hells Elf.
The next morning came and Bell was excited. Welf was going to be ready for the dungeon! With an excited cheer, Bell darted out of his room. He ended up returning to his bedroom once the terror disappeared. Bell darted into the kitchen, snagging a few pieces of toast, before rushing out of the manor without even stopping to say hello. He didn't even pay attention to the fact that Finn's entire group was standing at the ready, nor did he pay attention to Tiona attempting to get his attention. He was GONE. He was way too excited for Welf's return, as it meant they would have another fantastic day in the dungeon! He passed by the Mistress, where Ryuu was sweeping the front. She gave him a few looks, but he paid no attention except for Babel that was in his sights. He arrived at the large fountain, skidding to a stop as he spotted the spiky red hair of his Blacksmith, partner and friend. Welf, upon spotting the very slightly out of breath partner of his, gave a big grin.
"Jeez. Always so excited. I'm guessing you are wanting your item right?"
"No! I am excited to be going back into the dungeon! I learned magic Welf!"
"Wait really?! That's amazing! Do you know how rare it is to have magic?!"
"I… Is it really is that rare…?"
"Oh yeah. Not many people in Orario can use magic. It's mostly the elves, but a few others can. Especially since you are still level 1!" Welf grinned. "You are just more amazing every day. So, you wanna see what I made you?"
"Sure!" Bell exclaimed. Welf smirked and pulled out something wrapped in a black cloth, before unwrapping it. What it was, was merely a arm, wrist and hand bracer. It was a single piece bracer that extended from mid forearm on the top as well as the underside of his arm. It provided full coverage. It covered his wrist entirely, protecting the vital joint as well as forming a semi glove around his hand. It was wrapped around his palm and the top of his hand, snugly fitting against his thumb so he would have free movement of the digits. The armor had a few spikes along the top, making it easy to do a back swing and stab someone. At the start of the armor, at the mid point of his arm, on the underside was a small compartment. It was attached to a switch at his thumb.
"Ah you notice that part huh? It was a last minute decision, but I figured you would like it. You see, it juts out from the armor a bit and has a locking mechanism. It allows you to place your knife in the lock. When you press the thumb switch, the lock disengages and the knife falls. Conceal your knife and then you let it go, and boom! You are ready for action! Isn't that cool?!"
"This is the coolest! Thank you Welf! This is an amazing piece of armor!"
"Oh but I'm not done explaining. Those spikes are covered in the Moth poison. Use a few back hands with your hand and arm and you'll inflict poison without fail!"
"Sweet! Let's go use it!"
"That's what I'm talking about! Alright, let's get further in the dungeon than last time!" Welf exclaimed happily, eager to get further and gain more experience alongside his friend. Welf and Bell disappeared deep into the dungeon.
Freya watched from the glass, watching as Bell and his companion left into Babel and the dungeon. She took a seat shortly, sipping from her glass of wine with a smile.
"Let's see what you can do…" She cooed, waiting to watch the show.
Two hours after Bell left the dungeon, Finn and his group, as well as Rauls team, stood outside of Babel by the fountain. Finn stood on top of a few crates, gaining height over his compatriots.
"Everyone. Gather around. This here is going to be our greatest trial yet and our greatest journey. We are gathered here with the Hephaestus Familia Smiths in order to accomplish a single goal. To be the first to reach Floor 59. This will be challenging for all of us, but we will succeed. We will prove to Orario that we are the strongest Familia!" Finn exclaimed. The crowd nearby, filled with a ton of pedestrians who were in awe of the Familia, cheered. The Familia itself grinned with pride, ready for the fight ahead.
"We will split into two teams to avoid overcrowding. I will lead the first group and Gareth with the second. We must watch each others backs down there. If we can do that, then we will succeed. We will rush down to the 18th floor as quickly as we can, regrouping in the safe zone for rest. We must then charge through, reaching the next safe zone as quickly as possible. We cannot afford to lose any time. Our supplies are limited, so be quick but be safe. Let's move out!" Finn cheered, lifting his right fist into the air, heading off into the dungeon.
Bell and Welf grinned, having reached floor nine within just two hours. It was a record pace. Bell had yet to use his magic and neither were really out of breath. It was an amazing pace. Welf looked around curiously.
"This is odd. We've been down here for easily ten minutes… but no monsters…" Welf commented.
"Is it possible that a group was ahead of us and cleared the way?" Bell asked. Welf's brow furrowed.
"It's possible but unlikely? We haven't seen anyone in front of us except that one group but we were moving faster than them… Come to think of it. It's really odd…"
"Something the matter?"
"Nah… I don't think so…" He said cautiously, only for a load roar to fill the room.
URAAAH!
"What was that?" Bell asked, looking around, only for the hairs on the back of his neck to start standing up. 'No… It can't…' Bell turned to his left with Welf, as a massive figure came from one of the many passageways. A Beast in black. A Minotaur. It was carrying a massive long sword.
"What is a Minotaur doing here?! SHIT! WE GOTTA RUN!" Welf exclaimed, immediately attempting to back away, only to see that Bell was completely frozen. "Bell?!"
The Minotaur roared in fury, immediately charging forward.
"BELL! WE HAVE TO GO!" Welf exclaimed. The Minotaur was on top of them, lifting the massive sword into the air before swinging it down hard. Welf immediately tackled Bell out of the way, though Welf took a glancing blow from the Minotaurs arm who back swinged once he missed with the blade. Welf went flying through the large room, colliding with a wall nearby.
"WELF!" Bell exclaimed, looking at his friend who was now crumbled on the ground.
URAAAAH!
Bell's attention changed to the Minotaur who stood up to his full height, preparing another swing.
'No! I can't… I can't fight this thing!' Bell thought, his eyes filled with dread. The Minotaur swung down with his blade, but Bell was a bit faster. He yelled in terror as he scooted backwards, the blade striking the ground half an inch from his groin, nearly cleaving him in two. Bell looked at Welf who was now placed behind the Minotaur. 'If I run away… Welf is going to die… I can't leave him here… fuck what do I do?! I'm going to die!'
'Bell. You must remember this very important thing. Being scared is normal. For adventurers, being scared is the most natural feeling one will have… but this is not a feeling one should dread. It means you are going the right way. Facing only weak opponents will never give you growth as an adventurer or as a person. If you never face a challenge, you will never grow to be a proper man. If you want to be a man that gets the girls, gets the riches and gets satisfaction, you must face your challenges head on. So be scared… but get up. Fight the fear. A hero always gets back up!'
Bell immediately jumped backwards from the ground, dodging another cleaving strike from the Minotaur who roared in fury. Bell drew his knife from its sheath, not yet using the bracer for what Welf intended it to be used for with the knife. 'I have to keep standing… I must get it away from Welf… maybe I'll find some help…' Bell ran around the Minotaur, rushing backwards to gain distance away from Welf. 'I need to go deeper. Get it away from any new adventurers too.' Bell noticed the Minotaur was not paying attention to him, but to Welf. 'Damnit!' "Lightning Bolt! Lightning Bolt! Lightning Bolt!" Bell screamed, shooting three bolts of powerful lightning out of his outstretched hand and fingers, smacking right into the back of the Minotaur. The Minotaur roared in fury, turning to face Bell before rushing after him. Bell immediately turned and ran, running deeper and deeper into the tunnels, leaving Welf behind.
Finn and his group, consisting of Riveria, Bete, Tiona, Tione and Ais as well as Raul and his group, including Lefiya, were on level 8. They turned a corner that would give them one of the many pathways to floor nine, only to stop when they spotted a few adventurers laying on the ground. Finn approached as did Riveria. The green haired mage knelt down and began to apply some healing magic, checking their wounds. The two adventurers on the ground were both a man and a woman, both holding hands. The man was the only one awake.
"Ah… you… guys." He spoke with pain.
"What happened?" Finn asked, looking at their injuries. It wasn't fatal but it was debilitating.
"We… we ran into a Minotaur on level nine… cornered us in the tunnel ahead. Was looking like it was searching for something… It was carrying a huge long sword. Before I knew it… it nearly killed us. It would have… but it seemed to have gotten distracted with something… it smelled something and left… I'm sorry…"
"Wait. You actually saw a minotaur?!" Beta exclaimed, only for Tione to look at Riveria.
"Is is a survivor from last time?" She asked, only for Finn to respond.
"No. That's not possible… we haven't heard anything about a Minotaur on the upper floors." He then looked back down at the man. "I'm glad that you aren't hurt. We'll spare a potion for you both, but your injuries aren't fatal. I'll have Raul help take you back to make sure you get out. Raul, you mind?"
"No sir!" Raul responded. The man coughed, looking at Finn.
"I did… I saw two more people here on level 8… they went into a different path to get to level nine then us. It's a guy with Red spiky hair… and then… a rabbit looking person. White hair… red eyes." He spoke with a cough. As soon as the rabbit was spoken, Tiona darted away towards the stairs, her eyes widened in fear.
"Wait! Tiona!" Bete exclaimed, before immediately following after the Amazon. Finn looked at Riveria.
"We need to go. Now. There is no way it should be… but."
"I agree. Raul, take over." Riveria commanded before the rest of the group ran off, following after Tiona.
Bell yelled in fear as he ducked underneath a powerful swing, only to get clobbered in the side by a massive fist. 'No! It's the same as before. I can't do anything!' Bell thought, coughing up a bit of blood as he was sent skidding across the ground. He slowly got up, but the Minotaur was on top of him again.
UUURAAA!
The Minotaur swung again and against, Bell barely ducking and dodging from the blade, which was mere inches from his body. Bell immediately drew his knife, his eyes wide, his body shaking. The terror gripped him. 'I can't keep running… This is the most open space of this place… If I run… I may get trapped! DAMNIT!' Bell thought, before he had to block as a powerful swing came for his head. "AAAAAH!" Bell screamed out as he was sent flying from the impact, rolling for a few moments before slowly getting up. "DAMNIT!" He cursed. 'What do I do?! What can I do?! If I run, I will die! If I run back the way I can, Welf may die! If I fight, I'll die! What do I do?! WHAT DO I DO!?'
'Fight!' Spoke a voice that sounded like his Grandpa.
'Fight!' Spoke Tiona.
'Fight!' Spoke Riveria
'Fight!' Spoke Loki.
'Fight!' Spoke Ryuu.
'Stand up and fight… A woman will never respect a man who can't stay on his own two feet!' His Grandfathers voice filled his head.
'He's right… they are all right. I have to fight…I just have to hold him off… I'm sure someone will come… I'm sure someone will help!' Bell thought, immediately starting to engage in combat with the Minotaur, ducking, dodging and colliding his knife with the Minotaurs sword. Bell was shaking, but he stood. "AAAH!" Bell went on the offensive, leaping into the air attempting to swing his knife down vertically, aiming to smack the Minotaur right in the forehead… but the Minotaur's weapon and fists weren't the only weapons the Minotaur had. The Minotaur tilted its head, one of its two horns immediately thrusting up towards Bell. Bell yelped in fright, using his right leg to kick at the minotaur to dodge. The Minotaur turned his head and right in the abdomen above the kidneys. It missed the stomach and any of the essential organs, but the pain of the horn impaling him didn't miss. "AAAH!" Bell screamed, as he was being thrashed around. He felt his wound opening up, his blood beginning to coat his shirt as drip down his body. It wasn't a fatal wound, but damn did it hurt and bleed. It may be fatal if left untreated. After a moment, the Minotaur raised its fist before punching Bell off of its horn, opening the wound up further as well as increasing the blood flow. Bell vomited up blood though he tried to get up, attempting to move up to his feet, but he collapsed as soon as he put any weight on his arms.
The Minotaur let out a huff and a quick slap to its chest in victory, before starting to slowly approach. It moved with the gait of a predator, one that knows its prey is unable to flee and was ripe for the feast. The Minotaur even seemed to smile, its dark red eyes glaring at Bell. Bell once again tried to get up, but he collapsed again. 'I tried… I'm sorry… Goddess.'
It was then, a shadow appeared behind Bell before someone moved over Bell's body, getting between him and the Minotaur. Bell looked up and spotted the nearly completely bare back of Tiona, with her bronze colored skin.
"Bell. I'm so glad that I got here in time! Are you alright?" Tiona asked, glancing behind her at the wounded and fallen Bell.
'Again… asking me if I am alright. Once again, coming to my rescue. Once again...showing how weak I am before her. I am so pathetic… I'm sitting here on my stomach… Is this all I will ever be…? Bell admonished himself, thinking of every time he had to be saved. Three times now by Tiona and once by Riveria. Tears filled his eyes as he punched the ground. 'Every… single… time. I have to be saved. Why am I so pathetic? WHY?! I can't do this anymore!' Bell cried, feeling a bit of anger filling his body. 'No. I can't. I can't be seen like this anymore. I can't be kneeling anymore! I WON'T BE WEAK ANYMORE.' Bell, with his last few ounces of strength, stood up from his prone position, snarling. He reached into his back pocket, pulling out his emergency potion. 'I can do this. I know it… This is my destiny. I will be strong. I will be a man. I WILL BE A HERO!'
Coming from behind them all, came Bete and Riveria, followed by Finn, Tione, and Ais. Riveria watched as Bell stood up, taking out a potion.
'Hmm. He's learning. Emergency potion storage.' Riveria noted, before focusing on the Minotaur. She then watched as Bell moved forward after taking a drink, before letting the vial drop with a clink. He grabbed onto Tiona's arm, squeezing it with a slight tug.
"No. I can't… let you." He spoke quietly. "I won't let Tiona… or Riveria… or anyone rescue me ever again!" Bell said firmly, moving forward in front of Tiona, grabbing the knife on the ground in his right hand, while his left held onto the steel cable.
"Bell, you can't do this." Riveria stated, moving forward to try and stop Bell. Finn and Bete closed their eyes before moving forward together, almost in unison. They stood in front of Riveria, preventing her from moving forward. "What? Get out of the way."
"No. This is his fight." Bete stated. Finn glanced over at Bete for a moment, before looking at Bell.
"Bell wants to do this… no. He needs to do this." Finn said calmly and quietly, knowing that this was the moment that was either make or break for Bell. Tione approached Riveria and looked at her.
"Can we really sit back and let this happen? He's not even close to leveling up right…? There is nothing he can do here… He's going to die." Tione said while Tiona stared at Bell who was staring down the minotaur. She watched as Bell began to swing the cord in his left hand forward, providing a powerful uppercut momentum.
"I believe in him…" Tiona said, her fists clenched at her sides. She was scared though. Scared that she was going to lose a friend. A comrade. Her crush. Riveria frowned.
"This is stupid…" She commented, but she didn't move to prevent what was to happen.
Bell ignored all behind him, staring down his greatest enemy. 'This is my adventure. This is my fight. This is my moment… I will show everyone… THAT I AM NOT WEAK ANYMORE!' Bell thought.. It was at that moment, everyone behind him would see that his back would light up. A skill activation. If one could see his Falna, it would read. Senju Musō. "RAAAAAH!" Bell ran forward, only for his eyes to narrow. Time began to slow down and images began to appear before him. Images of the minotaur. Moving in all different directions, attacking in different styles. 'I see… I see it all. Everything he can do… I can do this… I know what he's going to do!' Bell thought before leaping into the air, jumping over the horizontal strike aimed to cleave him in two at the waist. With a flick of his wrist, the cable and the thick heavy ball at the top swung forward, smacking the Minotaur right in the jaw, sending the Minotaur back a step. "HIIIYA!" Bell exclaimed, swinging the blade horizontally, tossing the knife into the air, catching it with the cable, before using the momentum of the cable to slice the back of the Minotaur as Bell landed on his feet. The cut was minor and it did nothing to stop as the Minotaur swung its blade behind him, turning with it to cleave Bell once more. Bell ducked underneath the blade, before back flipping a few times to gain some distance.
Bell flicked his cable, pulling it to him until only two feet of cable remained. He then flicked his right arm, the cable around his arm there falling. He gripped the cable at the same length, before he began swinging it overhand, while his left was swinging underhand. 'This is my adventure. My fight… I can do this… I will not allow myself to be seen on my knees anymore… THIS IS MY ADVENTURE!'
Bete was surprised as was everyone. Tiona stood there slack jawed for a moment, before looking at Finn.
"It's not possible… He's just a level one… He shouldn't even be able to… what is…"
"How interesting." Finn said, staring as Bell faced down the monster. Riveria moved to be beside Finn.
"He might be holding it off, but he won't be able to defeat it. It's only a matter of time." Riveria stated, having very little faith in Bell. Bete looked over at Ais, watching as the sword princess just stared in silence, before he looked at Riveria.
"Maybe so, but this is something he must do… or he'll never see himself as a man." Bete admitted. Finn smirked.
"And here you were, not a month ago, talking horribly about him. Spoke too soon huh?"
"Shut up." Bete muttered. "I was wrong. I still think he's a little punk… but he has balls." Finn grinned and looked back at the fight. Tione tilted her head.
"Reminds me of the Argonaut." She commented. Finn laughed softly.
"The legend of the boy who wanted to be a hero. Fitting."
"Oh I loved that story when I was little! GO GO MR ARGONAUT!" Tiona cheered as she watched Bell in action.
Bell's cables were out at their max length, easily twenty feet. He was swinging them rapidly, keeping the Minotaur at bay. The images in his head were letting him predict the movement of the beast, striking at its weapon with the knife on the left cable, while the right was using the weighted tip as a morning star, aiming for the ankles. The beast was huffing and puffing while roaring in fury, attempting to break free. The Minotaur saw its chance, using its massive blade to swat the chains away, but Bell saw right through it. He decided to go all in as well, roaring in fury as the cables retracted, his knife returning to his hand. He collided with the Minotaur, knife to blade as he stared the beast in the eyes. 'DIE!' He roared in his head, using his right hand to aim at point blank range. "Lightning Bolt!"
The bolt exited from Bell's hand, colliding into the Minotaurs face. The beast roared in fury, sending out a blind punch through the smoke but Bell was gone. He had already ducked and dived under the Minotaur, going right between its legs. Using his knife, he swung the blade right for the beasts ankle, but the blade didn't bite. It cut maybe slightly into the skin, but it would do nothing. 'Damnit… wait… Welf!' Bell swung his right hand in a back swing, smacking the spikes into the right thigh of the beast. It felt the beasts muscles push back, making sure the spikes didn't get far in, but he drew blood! Bell grinned and rolled away, before leaping onto his left hand, pushing off from the handstand and landing on his feet.
"AHAHA! What a beautiful sight!" Freya exclaimed, laughing as her left hand went to her heart, while her right went down to her lower stomach, inching lower and lower to her lower body. "Show me more! More! NNNNN!"
'I can do this! I can win! I just have to trust in my friend! Trust in myself!' Bell told himself, taking a few breaths. 'I can see what he'll do, and I will find purchase… his weak spot… must be his belly!' Bell declared in his head, before charging forward once again. The Minotaur swung its blade in another horizontal arc, but Bell leapt into the air, jumping onto the blade before leaping off. He spun in the air, his right hand shooting out its cable, before using the momentum of the spin to smack the Minotaur in the face with the weighted tip. The sound came off like a whip before a powerful thud. The Minotaur was sent back a step, but its glare never left Bell. It was back in action not even a second later, swinging wildly. Bell began to duck, dodge, block and parry the Minotaur, letting out roars of anger towards the beast. Bell leapt up into the air, jumping over a leg sweep from the Minotaur, before kicking off the beasts chest to gain some distance.
" Lightning Bolt! Lightning Bolt! Lightning Bolt!" Bell exclaimed, sending three powerful shots of magic right into the Minotaur who was stunned at the maneuver from Bell. A large smokescreen filled the air as well as the stench of burning fur, but the Minotaur remained relatively unharmed.
Finn glanced at Riveria. "I know that he knows magic… but it's instant cast too? Who… what…?" Finn was unable to really speak, completely flabbergasted. No one responded to his question, despite him asking Riveria. They were all too busy watching this amazing fight before them.
Bell huffed a few times, catching his breath and he stared down his enemy. 'This is my first adventure… the start to the new me! No more weakness! No more cowardice! No more hiding! No more whimpering! No more being saved! No more running away!' Bell declared, his eyes locked onto his opponent. Bell flung his cables out towards the Minotaur, who didn't even move away as the cables missed its head on both accounts. Bell merely grinned at the beast. 'Idiot. Wasn't aiming for you!' Bell's cables found purchase in the stone behind the beast. He flexed his biceps and he was rocketed forward thanks to the cables. The Minotaur was surprised, finding itself kicked in the face by Bell!
UUUUUAAAA!
The beast responded by attempting to grab Bell with its left hand but Bell had leapt into the air, his cables retracted before he began twisting in the air. Bell roared in fury, spinning in the air over and over and over, before coming down. The first cable, the one on the left, found purchase on the Minotaurs blade. It knocked the long sword away, before the right one came down with a WHACK! The Minotaur was smacked right in the left eye. The beast was blinded in the eye, now flailing wildly in pain as blood poured from the eye socket. Bell immediately jumped away, gaining thirty feet of distance from the mad creature.
"He's really going all out… it's so… amazing." Tiona stated, cooing in happiness. She felt warmth flood through her body, seeing an amazing fight from the man she had a major crush on. Riveria was staring in silence, her eyes watching his every move.
'He's stepping up… I'm glad.' Riveria thought. It was near the end of the fight.
Bell roared and charged forward, seeing that the beast was still in a frenzy. Reading the movements of the Minotaur, Bell ducked and dodged under each swing of its sword or fist, getting up close and personal, too close for the sword to be of any use. The Minotaur attempted to use its horns to impale Bell, but he ducked under once again, getting to the other side of the beast. Flipping his blade up, Bell stabbed upwards, finding purchase in the side of the neck, right above the shoulder. "AAAAH!" He exclaimed as the blade sunk deep into the beasts flesh. "DIE! Lightning bolt!" He yelled out. The lightning arc'd from his shoulder, going down both of his arms, before disappearing into the blade. It was then the Beast immediately seized up as the powerful magical lightning filled its body. After a moment, it stopped its 'seizure' before attempting to punch at Bell again.
"What?! You can take some more! THAN HAVE IT! Lightning Bolt!" Bell exclaimed, sending another powerful pulse of magic into the beast. It seized up again, before vomiting up some blood through its clenched teeth. "You will no longer haunt my nightmares! You will no longer keep me as a coward! Lightning Bolt! Lightning Bolt! Lightning Bolt!" Bell exclaimed, sending three more powerful magical lightning bolts deep into the beast, who was incinerated after the last one entered it's body. It disappeared into ash. Three things flew from the beast, two pieces of its horns as well as its large crystal. Ash and residual magical energy filled the cavern, slowly revealing Bell. Who's armor had finally broken, minus the arm guard, as well as his shirt which was all burnt up, revealing his naked back.
"He… did it." Riveria said with surprise, her eyes wide.
"Well I'll be." Finn said with a smile.
"Still a punk… but good job." Bete stated.
"Good job Mr. Argonaut." Tione stated.
"WOOOOOOO! GO BELL! GO MR. ARGONAUT!" Tiona declared, laughing and doing a small dance in place. Ais on the other hand, was silent. Riveria raised a brow.
"He's passed out… It's Mind… Zero. He fought beyond his limits…" She stated. Bete then looked over at her.
"Check his status Riveria."
"I don't think he'd appreciate that…"
"Oh who cares! Check his status. If he's going to be with us, then we need to know." Bete said, which got Riveria to sigh as she approached Bell. Finn approached a bit further but stopped when Riveria started to chuckle.
"What got you laughing?!" Bete demanded, only for Riveria to turn to look at her comrades.
"Every single status he has? It's level S…"
Bell… had reached level 2. Bell has finally stood up and became a man. Soon, he will reap the benefits of being one.
Read. Review. Moo.